Eco Rep Profiles

An Eco Rep is a leader within their community who works as a liaison between the Office of Sustainability and their fellow residents to foster and promote more sustainable living. Eco Reps attend peer-to-peer sustainability education trainings and broaden their knowledge via student club involvement and student government programs. Throughout the year the Eco Reps and the ResRAP staff present educational workshops and programs in order to teach residents how they can do their part and make a difference. It is our hope that students will take the knowledge and resources they acquire from this program and continue to implement those practices throughout their life.

After six years of the program, Eco Reps will finally be able to gain credit for their work during winter and spring quarter. Listed as the ENVS 449C Seminar class with instructor Seth Vidaña, Eco Reps will now be earning 1 credit per participating quarter.

Eco Reps host events in their halls to encourage sustainability through education, outreach, and community involvement. If you are interested in becoming an Eco Rep, contact the ResRAP Coordinator.

Please select a hall on the right to view eco-reps.

Beta/Gamma

Name: Laura Klein
Year: Freshman
Hall: Beta/Gamma
Major: Undecided
Why I became an Eco Rep: I became an Eco Rep to spread awareness of environmental issues and help my community overcome them.
Goals: This year, I hope to learn about sustainable housing and green living so that I can use it in my own life and share it with my friends, family and community.
Fun fact: In my free time, I like to draw and read Shakespeare. Much Ado about Nothing is my favorite.

Name: Cindy Nguyen
Year: Freshman
Hall: Beta/Gamma
Major: Marine Biology
Why I became an Eco Rep: I became an Eco Rep because it would go well with the fact I plan on becoming a marine biologist. This position would also allow me to improve my leadership skills. Also, I thought it would be a good way to be more involved in the community while helping the environment.
Goals: Raise awareness of our impact on the environment and improve sustainability.
Fun fact: I love art and draw for a hobby.

Birnam Wood

Name: Sereyvathanak Khorn
Year:Hall: Birnam Wood
Major: Computer Science
Why I became an Eco Rep: I want to learn more about how to improve our environment in the community as well as bringing awareness to them that they can produce a positive impact toward their environment with their contributions.
Goals: Computer Software Engineer
Fun fact: I like cooking; and I do not know much about environment.

Name: Meriel Kaminsky
Year: Freshman
Hall: Buchanan Towers
Major: Environmental Science
Why I became an Eco Rep: I became an Eco Rep because I want to learn more about sustainability issues, advocate low-carbon footprint practices, and ultimately involve as many people as I can to explore and preserve our environment.
Goals: I would like to make composting more widely available in the dorms and on campus.
Fun fact: My favorite snack is semi-sweet chocolate chips with dry roasted almonds!

Name: Emily Williams
Year: Freshman
Hall: Buchanan Towers
Major: Environmental Science
Why I became an Eco Rep: I became an Eco rep to gain leadership skills and to be more environmentally aware.
Goals: I want to become up to date with all environmental issues.
Fun fact: I have been to Germany.

Edens/Higginson

Name: Everitt Merritt
Year: Freshman
Hall: Edens/Higginson
Major: Environmental Science
Why I became an Eco Rep: I am deeply driven to play a role, however large or small, in preserving and sustaining our natural world. I became an Eco Rep in large part because I have resolved to play a more active role in determining my contribution to the world. I've made this decision because I'm slowly realizing the extent to which I depend on the natural world not only for resources, but also for basic affirmation of life. I need natural systems not only for food, water, and shelter, but in order to feel fully myself. I feel most fulfilled, in life, when I am living harmoniously with the natural world, whether that means backpacking in wilderness or simply making every day decisions which sustain natural processes. Given this understanding of my global role, I would like, in my life, to make some kind of actual and lasting change in order to preserve the natural world, and being an Eco Rep gives me this opportunity!
Goals: I would like to use education and outreach in order to contribute to actual change on Western's Campus. The university projects a strong image of environmental consciousness (this was one of the many reasons I chose Western!) and in many ways it does live up to this image. However, there are still many areas for improvement. I hope to increase awareness of Western's waste output, energy use, and water use, and to reduce all three of these areas through education about ways to use resources in a more sustainable manner.
On a more personal level, I hope to use my position as an Eco Rep as not only an opportunity to expand my own personal worldview to increase my awareness of social, political, and economic factors related to environmentalism, but also as a way to begin a lifelong process of contribution to change on a more global level.
Fun fact: I love anything that gets me outside, whether it's rock climbing, back country skiing, or just wandering around in the woods.

Fairhaven

Name: Gwen Larned
Year: Freshman
Hall: Fairhaven
Major: Business and Sustainability
Why I became an Eco Rep: To learn more about the ways that my actions impact the environment around me and to share this knowledge with my fellow Vikings.
Goals: Become more involved in the No Waste movement here at Western and help to come up with innovative ways we can continue to improve.
Fun fact: I'm from the "Bavarian Village" Leavenworth, WA.

Mathes

Name: Cynthia Sovulewski
Year: Freshman
Hall: Mathes
Major:Why I became an Eco Rep: Why I became an Eco Rep: I became an eco rep so that I can help others become more aware of their impact on the environment and what they can do to be more environmentally friendly.
Goals: I would like to add recycling bins to the kitchens and help Mathes be better than it was last year.
Fun fact: I competitively race sailboats.

Name: Roslyn Martin
Year: Freshman
Hall: Mathes
Major: Environmental Studies
Why I became an Eco Rep: I am majoring in Environmental Studies because I am very passionate about changing current living habits and promoting sustainability to preserve this beautiful planet. I think that being an Eco Rep is an amazing opportunity to help me get started on making a difference. I love nature and taking care of it, and I want to teach others about different ways they can take part in sustainable living!
Goals: 1) Have a fully functional compost bin behind our dorm 2) Put on movie nights for residents that include environmental documentaries to help inform people on environmental issues 3) Host a trash audit for Mathes 4) Throw an event for electricity use awareness and encourage residents to turn off lights 5) Provide timers for shower stalls to assist people in cutting down shower time and water usage 6) Put on a clothing exchange event in our hall to reduce the amount of new clothing bought and wasted
Fun fact: Hiking is my favorite activity!

Nash

Name: Delaney Jean Corcoran
Year: Freshman
Hall: Nash
Major: Environmental Science
Why I became an Eco Rep: I became an Eco Rep for a few reasons; 1) I have a passion and deep love for the environment and want to do as much as I can to help protect it. 2) I want to help make Nash one of the most environmentally friendly and sustainable places on campus. 3rd and finally, I want to teach others how to live in a sustainable way.
Goals: A few of my goals for this year are 1) to spread my knowledge of sustainable practices to my fellow residents. 2) to learn even more about how I can make more environmentally responsible changes in my life. and 3) to help create a more successful and accessible campus wide composting program.
Fun fact: I have written a book that has been published and can be bought on Amazon. It is a fantasy titled The Incredible Tale of the Moon Drop Morning-Glory.

SHADO

Name: Rebecca Hargraves
Year: Freshman
Hall: Alpha
Major: Psychology
Why I became an Eco Rep: I care a lot about the people and community of Western Washington University, but also about the incredible environment we have around us. I love learning new ways to live a more sustainable life, and I would love even more to share it with the rest of the community!
Goals: I want to help everyone lead more sustainable lives and to become more in touch with the beautiful world around them. I want to help educate everyone in the community on the most pressing and important environmental issues on campus. Then, of course, I want to help everyone implement easy (and possibly fun) ways to reduce any harm they may be causing to the environment and/or themselves into their daily lives to create a happier, healthier, and well-educated community.
Fun fact: I love doing theater. When I was in Twelve Angry Men (or Twelve Angry Jurors in our case), I played Juror #11, the foreigner. From this, I have mastered a Russian accent by watching mass amounts of "Real Russia Blog" on YouTube. I have not practiced it in a while, but if you ask me, I can always try to re-create my accent.

Name: Caitlin Cohen
Year: Freshman
Hall: Highland
Major: Journalism and Creative Writing
Why I became an Eco Rep: I care a lot about the people and community of Western Washington University, but also about the incredible environment we have around us. I love learning new ways to live a more sustainable life, and I would love even more to share it with the rest of the community!
Goals: 1) To spread awareness about the declining bee population and teach students how help save the bees (gardening, bee blocks, etc)! 2) To learn how to live a more sustainable life and spread this knowledge to other students. 3) Put on a variety of different events that are educational and exciting. Some examples may be a tour of the Outback Farm, regular Arb hikes, clothing swaps, local and organic food education/cooking classes, and more.
Fun fact: In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I also love to make delectable vegan baked-goods and drawing. I love all animals but dogs have a special place in my heart. My dream career would be to write novels and turn them into movies.